Calling all US Military Fall 2017 Applicants!

I'm retaking the GMAT after speaking with two of the schools and having them spell out for me what score I'd need to get in order to get XX% paid for so I'm still not dead in the water yet. Regardless, I have options that, even without merit-based aid are still very reasonably priced which is largely why I applied in the first place, for this exact reason.

I'm gonna use this next week to mull over applying to one more school for R2 that I regret not applying for in R1 though so we'll see. Thanks for the advice by the way.

Another option to look at is the GRE. I don't have the stomach for the GMAT again if I have to take it for next year.

I honestly just don't want to have to sacrifice the study time having to learn the format and patterns of a new test. Just need to find the disconnect between my prep and practice tests and the real thing. Scored a 720 and 740 on both official GMAT Prep practice tests. Was getting 690-720 on four of the MGMAT practice tests before my second attempt. Just totally **** the bed on test day. My first one was a wash because I was taking it for online programs so I didn't really dedicate very much time to it.

Yea that should work out for you. I just don't have the willpower to study for the GMAT again (it took me a year to get a 690). I'd rather just start all over with a new test.

Plus I know the GRE is better for people strong in verbal and weaker in quant.

The GMAT retake is a potentially good path/way to go. I sort of assumed it was out. If you feel that with a retake you may be considered for a Scholarship, i would definitely bring it up to the adcom in a conversation and check whether resubmitting a score would help be considered. No shame in asking for money in this situation. it is always tight.

Also, you scored 3 out of 4, that also kind of means you hit very well in the middle and there is also room to go up potentially if you are going to submit more apps.

P.S. Both the GMAT and an Application are a pretty big undertaking with essays, LORs, Transcripts, scores, etc.

Good Luck!


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I wasn't initially considering it, but all three programs I was accepted to spelled out for me a score to shoot for to put me back into consideration for anything from 50% to full tuition which was nice. Finally having a solid black and white goal to aim for was all I needed to get back to it. Worst case scenario is no improvement and I'm exactly where I am right now.

The hardest part was securing RELIABLE LORs form people who actually showed some sense of urgency to get it done but now that I have that covered I'm feeling pretty good with where I'm sitting for applying in round 2.



I was really looking forward to not having to see another GMAT practice question but oh well. I heard the GRE is more verbal intensive but is it accurate that because the quant is considered, I guess, "easier" that ADCOMs expect a pretty monumental score in quant?

Any other military waiting on Wharton's Thursday decision?

Not me but I have two buddies who are waiting on the decision. Best of luck!

While I'm waiting for Kellogg and Tuck, I've decided to steer clear of the forums, livewire, etc. Thinking about taking some PTO to go skiing and just leaving my phone at home. Sitting around staring at my phone last week was excruciating.

I don't blame you. It's not much fun being glued to your phone at work and at home constantly refreshing web pages and email.

Thanks man. Tuck was my #1 going into the cycle. Good luck - it is such a special place!!

Dondarrion, I wish you the best of luck today!

Hope everyone got leave and the chance to see family. Congratulations to everyone accepted and good luck to everyone still applying. Just submitted all of my R2 apps - here's to better luck this year!

Congrats! Have you already applied R2 or are you planning to do so in the next few days? Which schools are on your R2 list?

Thanks! I have applied. HBS, Wharton, Booth, CBS, and LBS. We will see how they go, but to be honest, it will take a lot to knock off Cambridge. I was super impressed by their program, their individualization of your curriculum, the very international class. Not to mention I will be living in Cambridge and want to work in London after business school.

Nice, seems like you have things well in hand. Keep us posted on how things go. Anyone else in for R2? Don, tracking on you, best of luck brother

So if you served in the military as a non-officer(private to petty sergeant), but you had some interesting work there(translated forensics textbooks, participated in important investigations et cetera, worked with generals), would that count as good experience for an MBA, or does the fact of having been not an officer but a foot soldier discount its value?

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Are you a veteran or currently serving and thinking about applying for an MBA?

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Enlisted vs Officer won't have an affect. What will have a major effect is how you tie in your experiences in the military with your "story" while applying to school.

Military is military in the eyes of adcom -- they care about experiences, not rank.

Enlisted personnel are underrepresented in top MBA programs relative to officers for a few reasons...one, I don't think many apply in the first place either because they don't understand what an MBA is all about and/or don't think they'll be competitive for top schools. Two, a lot of American enlisted guys/gals shoot themselves in the foot by using their GI Bill or tuition assistance on less-than-challenging bachelor degrees from less-than-reputable schools while on active duty, and difficulty of undergrad school/major plays a big part in admission odds for MBA programs.

I had two former enlisted guys in my HBS class -- one Air Force PJ and one Army comm guy. They left active duty and got undergrad degrees at Dartmouth and Georgia Tech, respectively, before applying to HBS. My guess is that they probably would not have been admitted to HBS if they'd gotten online degrees from U of Phoenix or University of Maryland University College instead of where they did.